Power transmission



Oct. 7, 1941. y c E s 2,258,307

Filed Nov. 18, 1938 INVENTOR HARRY E VlCKERS z W ATTORN EY 0a. 7, 1941. H F, VICKERS 2,258,307

POWER TRANSMI SS I ON Filed Nov. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HARRY F. VICKERS BY A ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 7, 1941 rowan TRANSMISSION Harry F. Vickers, Detroit, Micln, assignor to Vickers Incorporated; Detroit, Mich, a corpora-' tion oi Michigan I Application November 18, 1988, Serial No. 241.215

12 Claims.

This invention relates to power transmissions, particularly to those of the type comprising two or more fluid pressure energy translating devices one of which may function as a pump and another as a fluid motor.

This invention is particularly adapted for transmitting power to a load device such as a hoist or other machine wherein there is a gravity or other load or bias acting in one or the other direction the force of which the power transmission may be required to overcome. In devices of this nature it is sometimes desirable to provide alternative power sources for operating the load device, one of which may be a fluid power transmission system while the other may be a hand drive or other standby operating mechanism. In certain applications it is necessary that the load device he maintained stationary against the force of gravity whenever the load device is not being positively driven from one or the other source 2 of power. It is also desirable that any mechanism analogous to a ratchet for holding the load device stationary be releaseable so as to permit backward movement of the load device and that such release be made "automatically whenever power is applied from either source in the reverse direction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a power transmission system in which the above requirements are satisfied and which is oi simple and durable construction and reliable in operation.

A further object is to provide a power transmission system of this character wherein a drivereleased brake is associated with the load device together'with a drive-released clutch for the purpose of maintaining the load device stationary while permitting positive driving of the same in either direction from either of two power sources.

Further objects and advantages oi the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

(Cl. 1923i a power transmission system comprising a pump III which may be operated by a suitable prime mover such as an electric motor l2 and which draws fluid from a tank i4 through a suction con- 5 duit l0 and delivers the same to a delivery conduit II. A suitable relief valve 20 of conventional construction is: provided. for bypassing fluid from the line It to the tank through a return line 22 whenever the pressure in line is exceeds a predetermined safe value. The pressure line l8 extends to the pressure port 24 of an opencenter four-way valve 28 of conventional construction. as, for example, the type illustrated in Munger Patent 1,292,013 or Francis Patent 1,716,881. The tank ports 28 of valve 28 connect with the conduit 22 by a conduit 30. The controlled ports 32 and 34 connect by conduits 38 and 38 with a rotary fluid motor 40 which may be of any suitable construction.

The mechanism'thus far described is typical of one class of hydraulic power transmission device to which the present invention may be adapted and per se forms no part of the present invention.

The motor 40 is connected by a shaft 4| to drive a load device indicated by the hoist drum 42 on which a cable 44 may be wound or unwound to raise or lower a load indicated diagrammatically at 46. At the opposite side of the drum 42 a brake and clutch unit '48 isconnected to the drum by a shaft .66 and has a shaft 50 which connects to a manual power source such as the hand crank I52. A branch conduit 54 connects from the conduit id to the unit 48 for a purpose 5 later to be described.

' Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the unit 48 comprises a generally cylindrical casing 56 having its ends closed by caps 58 and 60. The shaft 50 projects through the cap 60 in which it is journalled on bearings 62 and is provided with an oil seal 64. The cap 58 carries the shaft 66 journalled on bearings 68. The shaft 66 carries at its inner end a clutch generally designated as 10 which may be of any suitable type and in In the drawings: the present embodiment is shown as a multiple Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a power transmission system embodying a preferred form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section of a drive-released brake and drive-released clutch mechanism incorporated in the mechanism of Figural.

Figure 3 is a cross section on line 3-4 of Figure 2.

on the shaft 68, the latter being slidable axially thereon and the former being retained thereon by a collar is secured to the reduced end 80 of the shaft 66 by a nut 82. The collar 18 also forms an inner race for an anti-friction bearing 84 on Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated which is journalled an intermediate member 88.

it and the pressure plate. The lower end of the g cylinder 92 forms a pressure chamber to which fluid pressure may be admitted through a conduit 99 which connects with the conduit 54 of Figure 1. Whenever sumcient pressure is admitted to the conduit 99 the sleeve 99 is raised against theforce oi' the spring 93 releasing the clutch I9. When this pressure is relieved, the spring again forces the pressure plate 18 downward engaging the clutch I9. The intermediate member 89 is provided with a flange portion 98 having cam surfaces I99 thereon (Fig.8) with which a pair of rollers I92 are adapted to coact. The rollers I92 also engage the inner cylindrical surface of-a hardened steel ring I94 rigidly mounted in the casing 59. Suitable spring plungers I99 constantly urge the rollers I92 outwardly into wedging engagement between the cam surfaces I99 and the inner surface of the ring I94, thus constituting a two-way acting roller brake for preventing movement or the intermediate member 89 relative to the casing 99 whenever both rollers are in looking position. The member 89 carries a pilot projection I98 on which is journalled a releasing and driving member II9 formed integrally with the shaft 59. The member II9 comprises a generally circular flange I I 2 with which is integrally formed an upstanding cup-like portion I I4 extending around approximately three-fourths of the periphery of the flange I I2. The portion H4 is approximately coextensive in an axial direction with the flange 98 and is provided with toe portions II9 adapted to engage one or the other of the rollers I92. to force the same inwardly against the spring plungers I99 and release them from locking position. The member I I4 also has heel portions II8 adapted to abut the sides of the flange portion 98 and cause the latter to be driven by the member II 4.

The mechanism centering around the flange shaft 99, is held stationary by the engagement of clutch I9 which connects shaft 99 with the intermediate member 89 which is locked to the ring I94 and casing 59 by the rollers I92. The clutch I9 is maintained in engagement, of course, because of the lack of pressure in conduits 54 and 99 whereby the spring 98 forces the sleeve 99 downwardly in Figure 2 to press the clutch plates I2 and I4 together. I

If it is desired to drive the load device in the direction tending to raise the load 49, the valve 29 may be shifted, say, to the right causing the motor 49 to rotate in the direction winding in the cable 44. As soon as the valve is shifted, the pump I9 is no longer bypassed and pressure builds up in the conduit I8 and branches 54 and 99 causing the sleeve 99 to raise, releasing the clutch I9 and thus disconnecting shaft 99 from the intermediate member 89. The motor 49 can then,

drive .the drum 42.

If a resisting load is applied to the motor shaft,

the pressure in conduit I8 will be exactly proportional to the magnitude of that load resistance. It is this latter fact which is utilized for the purpose of making the clutch I9 release in response to the application of a given driving effort. Thus the clutch I9 can never be released until a predetermined driving effort is applied at the motor 49. During lowering operationthe load 49 tends to drive the motor 49 in the lowering direction which tendency is resisted, however, by the clutch III which looks the shaft 99 to the intermediate member 88 which in turn'is locked to the stationary ring I94. Thus with the clutch. I9 engaged, the motor shaft H is effectively locked to the stationary part of the mechanism. Accordingly, when pressure fluid is admitted to conduit 38 for reverse operation of motor 49, the latter cannotturn immediately, and since the oil being delivered by pump I9 must have somewhere to go, pressure immediately builds up in conduits I8, 88 and 54. This rise in pressure is determined by the degree of resistance to rotation imposed 98, rollers I92, ring I94, and member II4 represents one type of drive-released brake suitable for use in the present invention, although it will be illustrated in Figure 1, fluid is delivered by the pump I9 through the conduit I8 and is bypassed back to the tank I4 through the open-center valve 29 and conduits 39 and 22. Under these conditions fluid circulates through this path at substantially no pressure. It will be noted also that the fluid motor 49 is likewise bypassed should I the same be caused to operate for any reason.

The load device 42, being directly connected to although still providing enough at shaft 4I.- Thus the pressure will rise until the clutch spring 98 is overcome suiflciently to permit shaft H to turn under the torque exerted by motor 49 at, that particular hydraulic pressure.

When the valve 29 is again shifted to its center position the pump is again bypassed and the pressure in lines I8, 54, and 86 falls so that sleeve 99 is again moved down to engage the clutch I9. This provides a strong braking action causing the load device to stop almost instantly without substantial over travel..

Should it be desired to rotate the load device 42 in the opposite direction, the valve 29 is shifted to the left to cause reverse rotation of the motor 99. Under these conditions, even though the gravity pull of load 49 be sufficient to cause reverse movement of drum 42 independently of the motor 49', it is necessary that the clutch 19 be released before such movement can occur. This resistance to turning imposed by clutch I9 causes pressure to build up in the line I9 sumcient to at least partly raise the sleeve 99 to relieve the pressure on the pressure plate I8 until a point is reached where the clutch I9 will begin to slip braking effect to maintain this pressure in the conduit I8.

It will be obvious that a condition of equilibrium is reached such that the braking effect or drag of the clutch I9 is just suflicient to produce the required load on the motor 49 for maintaining enough pressure in the line I8 to hold the clutch When the shaft 50 is thus turned, one of the toes ill will engage its roller I! to force the same inwardly out of wedging engagement and either permit the load device to rotate in an unwinding direction under the urge of the load 46 or, if the hand wheel be turned in a raising direction, the continued movement of member lllwill engage the heel H8 with the flange 98, thus forming a positive driving connection at this point.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a power transmission system wherein the load device is always locked against movement in either direction by any external force applied to or by the load device and yet complete freedom of movement in either direction is permitted whenever power is applied from either the fluid motor 40 or the hand wheel 52. It will be understood that the advantages of the present invention may also be derived without the twoway action at the drive-released brake mechanism.

While the form of embodiment of the invention, as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a power transmission system for driving a load device from either- 01" twopower sources, the combination with a shaft connected to the load device and to one of said power sources of 4. In a power transmission system for drivin a load device in either direction and from either of two power sources, one of which is a fluid motor, the combination with a shaft connected to the load device and to said fluid motor of a two-way drive-released brake having its driving end connected to the other power source, a clutch connected between the driven and of the brake and said shaft, fluid pressure responsive means for disengaging the clutch whenever power is applied from said fluid motor, and means en- Eaging the clutch automatically when driving from said fluid motor is discontinued.

5. In a power transmission system for drivins a load device from either of two power sources, one of which is a fluid motor, the combination with a shaft connected to the load device and to said fluid motor of a drive-released brake having its driving end connected to the other power source, a clutch connected between the driven end of the brake and said shaft, fluid pressure responsive means for disengaging the clutch whenever power is applied from said fluid motor, means engaging the clutch automatically when driving from said fluid motor is discontinued, and means for bypassing the fluid motor when driving is discontinued therefrom.

6. In a power transmission system for driving a load device from either oi two power sources the combination of a drive-released brake and a clutch connected in series relation between one of said power sources and the load device, and means connecting the other power source to the load device independently of said clutch, said brake being connected for release by one of said power sources and the clutch being connected for release by the other power source.

a drive-released brake having its driving end connected to the other power source, a clutch connected between the driven end of the brake and said shaft, means for disengaging the clutch whenever power is applied from the flrst mentioned power source, and means engaging the clutch automatically when driving from the flrst power source is discontinued.

2. In a power transmission system for driving a load device in either direction and from either of two power sources the combination with a shaft connected to the load device and to one of said power sources, of a two-way drive-released brake having its driving end connected to the other power source, a clutch connected between the driven end' of the brake and said shaft,

means for disengaging the clutch whenever power is applied from the flrst mentioned power source, and means engaging the clutch automatically when driving from the flrst power source is discontinued.

3. In a power transmission system for driving a load device from either of two power sources, one of which is a fluid motor, the combination with a shaft connected to the load device and to said fluid motor, of a drive-released brake having its driving end connected to the other power source, a clutch Fonneoted between the driven end of the brake and said shaft. fluid pressure responsive means for disengaging the clutch whenever power is applied from said fluid motor, and means engaging the clutch automatically when driving from said fluid motor is discontinued.

v 7. In a power transmission system for driving a load device in either direction from either of two power sources the combination of a two-way drive-released brake and clutch connected in series relation between one of said power sources and the load device, and means connecting the .other power source to the load device independently of said clutch. said brake being connected for release by one of said power sources and the clutch being connected for release by the other power source.

8. In a power transmission system for driving a load device from either of two power sources, one of which is a fluid motor, the combination of a drive-released brake and a clutch connected in series relation between one of said power sources and the load device, and means connecting the other power source to the load device independently of said clutch, said brake being connected for release by one of said power sources and the clutch being connected for release by said fluid motor.

9. In a power transmission system for driving a load device from either of two power sources, one of which is a fluid motor, the combination of a drive-released brake and a clutch connected in series relation between one of said power sources and the load device, -means connecting the other power source to the load device independently of said clutch. said brake being connected for release by one of said power sources and the clutch being connected for release by said fluid motor, and means for bypassing the fluid motor when driving is discontinued therefrom.

10. In a power transmission system for driving a load device from either a fluid motor or a hand crank the combination of an intermediate I the fluid motor for member, automatic means for locking the inter- I mediate member against, movement, meansoperated by the hand crank for releasing the locking means and driving the intermediate member. releasable means for connecting the intermediate member to the load device and fluid motor, and means responsive to a driving eflort imparted to releasing the last mentioned means.

11; In a power transmission system for driving a load device from either a-fluid motor or a hand crank the combination or means for locking the load device against movemenhmeans operated by the hand crank for releasing said locking means and drivinz the load device, and means controlled by'the fluid motor for disconnecting the load device from the locking means whenever the fluid motor is energized witha tendency to drive the load device.

12. In a power transmission system for driving a load device from either oi. two power sources the combination of means for locking the load device against movement, and means selectivelv operable by either power source and responsive to the application of power to either source for releasing the locking means.

HARRY I". VICKERS. 

